World AIDS Day 2018: Here's why people avoid HIV tests

New Delhi : Like every year, World AIDS Day 2018 will be celebrated on December 1. This year, UNAIDS is focusing on HIV testing and its importance. In this article, we will give you major reasons people avoid HIV test.

HIV testing allows you to know whether you are affected with the virus. It enables you to act and seek medical help if you are HIV-positive or continue taking steps to avoid getting the deadly virus. According to the CDC, people between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

There has been a As the global commitments to end AIDS make significant progress since 1988, around 75% of people living with HIV in the world knew their HIV status, as per UNAIDS. Also, about 59% of all people infected with HIV were accessing treatment. However, despite the availability of high-quality and effective treatment, new HIV infection cases are not declining fast enough The possible reasons why people overlook HIV testing are:

Societal fear

There is a stigma associated with HIV as a disease, such as fear of banishment from their society or group, may play a role in stopping people from getting tested for the virus.

Self-confidence that 'I am at no risk

Though you and your partner are having sex only with each other, it is important to get an HIV test, which is the only way to know for sure whether you or your partner has been infected with the virus.

Believe that I always have protected sex

It is not necessary that HIV virus gets transmitted by sexual contact. The virus can be transmitted through activities like sharing needles or syringes or other equipment works used to prepare drugs for injection with someone infected with HIV. Less commonly, HIV can also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

Fear, if the results become positive and public

According to India’s HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act (2017), no individual is compelled to disclose his/her HIV status except by an order of the court. The entire process of HIV testing and results are kept confidential. While the Act seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, it prohibits discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS.